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Staff Members

Colin Achilles is a Program Associate for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on various projects and initiatives, primarily focusing on the political process behind fiscal policy. Prior to joining the Committee, he worked for federal and state officeholders from Virginia, as well as a nonprofit organization specialized in tax and spending issues. Colin received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Flagler College, and his master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. He is originally from Flint Hill, Virginia. Contact him at achilles@crfb.org.

Barbara Ann Clay is the Director of Communications for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. She was the lead White House spokesman on the federal budget in her capacity as Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget, and later served as Director of Communications for the House Ways and Means Committee. As Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department, she was the chief media spokesman on the international economy. Her international work includes roles as Vice President for Communications at ICANN, the Internet’s domain name system coordinator; founding director of communications at the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and Director of Communications at the Berlin-based NGO Transparency International. Contact her at clay@crfb.org.

Chris Dreibelbis is the Director of Digital and Creative Media for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he oversees outreach for the Committee's work through social media. Prior to joining the Committee, he was the Communications and Economic Policy Director at the Reform Institute. Before that he worked at the Committee for Economic Development, where he was actively involved in their successful effort to achieve campaign finance reform and also worked on issues such as the federal budget and Social Security reform. He received his B.A. in public policy from Washington & Lee University and holds a master's in public policy from George Mason University. Contact him at dreibelbis@crfb.org.

Corbin Evans is the Manager of Special Programs for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages internal project development, legislative affairs, and cultivation and engagement of the CEO Leadership Council. Prior to joining the Committee, Corbin served in the Corporate Affairs Department of the US Chamber of Commerce and spent four years as a lobbyist for the University of Missouri System. Corbin obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business and a Master of Public Affairs from the Truman School of Public Affairs. Contact him at evans@crfb.org.

Tyler Evilsizer is the Research Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he handles a wide variety of issues, primarily focusing on tax, budget, and economic policy. Prior to joining the Committee, he performed research on tax and budget issues for the Senate Finance Committee under Chairman Max Baucus. Before that, he served as Lead Researcher for the National Institute on Money in State Politics, the only non-profit that compiles information on state-level campaign finance in all 50 states. Tyler received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and a master's degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Contact him at evilsizer@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @TylerEvilsizer.

Marc Goldwein is the Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he guides and conducts research on a wide array of topics related to fiscal policy and the federal budget. He is frequently quoted in a number of major media outlets and works regularly with Members of Congress and their staffs on budget-related issues.

In 2010, Marc served as Associate Director of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (The Fiscal Commission), and in 2011 he was a senior budget analyst on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (The Super Committee). He has also conducted research for the Government Accountability Office, the World Bank, the Historian's Office at the Social Security Administration, and the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. In addition to his work at the Committee, Marc teaches economics at the University of California DC and at Johns Hopkins University, where he was the 2013 recipient of Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2011, Marc was featured in the Forbes "30 Under 30" list for Law & Policy. Contact him at goldwein@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @MarcGoldwein.

Erich Hartman is a Senior Program Associate for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he conducts research on fiscal and economic issues and helps develop special initiatives. Prior to joining the Committee, Erich worked on entitlement and tax issues at the House Committee on Ways and Means under Chairmen Camp, Ryan, and Brady. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Government from the College of William & Mary. Contact him at hartman@crfb.org.

Christina Howerton is the Digital and Social Media Specialist for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where she works on social media strategy and engagement, graphic design, and media production. Christina has a master’s degree in international media from American University in Washington, D.C., and bachelor’s degrees in journalism and French from Western Kentucky University. She is originally from Jeffersonville, Indiana. Contact her at howerton@crfb.org.

Ed Lorenzen is a Senior Advisor for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Prior to joining the Committee, Ed served on the staff of the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. He is a longtime veteran of the Congressional budget process, having served as policy adviser and Legislative Director to former Congressman (and current Co-Chairman of the Committee board) Charlie Stenholm from 1990 through 2004 and as Senior Policy Adviser for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from 2007 through June of 2010. Ed received his bachelor’s degree in government and international service from American University. Ed graduated from The American University in 1992 with a degree in government and international relations. He is originally from Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Contact him at lorenzen@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @CaptainPAYGO.

Maya MacGuineas is the President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget as well as the head of the Campaign to Fix the Debt. Her areas of expertise include budget, tax, and economic policy. MacGuineas testifies regularly before Congress and has published broadly. Once dubbed “an anti-deficit warrior” by The Wall Street Journal, MacGuineas comments often on broadcast news and is widely cited by the national press. In the spring of 2009 MacGuineas did a stint on The Washington Post editorial board, covering economic and fiscal policy. MacGuineas has worked at the Brookings Institution and on Wall Street. As a political independent, she has advised numerous candidates for office from both parties, and works regularly with members of Congress on health, economic, tax, and budget policy. Contact her at info@crfb.org and find her on Twitter @MayaMacGuineas.

Marie Meszaros is a Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where she researches and writes about federal fiscal policy, healthcare, and budget issues. A native of South Carolina, Marie made her way to Washington, DC by way of Notre Dame Law School to clerk for a federal judge. Before coming to the Committee, she spent several years litigating administrative law issues and served as a domestic budget, healthcare, and fiscal policy adviser for a Republican Member of Congress. Marie received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of South Carolina’s Honors College. Contact her at meszaros@crfb.org.

Zach Moller is a Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he researches economic, revenue, and budgetary issues. In addition, Zach contributes to the Committee's Better Budget Process Initiative and is a specialist in data and charts. Prior to joining the Committee, he worked on economic and revenue issues for the Senate Budget Committee under Chairs Murray and Conrad, first as economics staff assistant and then as Economic Analyst. Zach received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. Contact him at moller@crfb.org.

Mike Murphy is Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages policy research and analysis on a variety of topics related to fiscal policy and the federal budget, as well as coordinates a wide array of projects related to advancing the Committee’s policy related initiatives. Prior to joining the Committee, Mike worked for the Comeback America Initiative, a non-profit founded by David Walker, Former Comptroller General of the United States, who mission is to educate and engage the public about federal, state and local fiscal issues. Previously, Mike also worked as a Senior Transportation Program Analyst for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as in legislative affairs for the American Cancer Society and on Capitol Hill. Mike received his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Masters of Public Administration and a Certificate of Health Services Management and Policy from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Contact him at murphy@crfb.org.

Patrick Newton is the Press Secretary for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he manages and coordinates outreach to the media. He came to the Committee from Capitol Hill, where he spent nine years on the staff of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. of Tennessee, serving as both Communications Director and financial services Legislative Assistant. Prior to his time on the Hill, Patrick worked as a television news anchor and reporter for KEVN-TV, a FOX affiliate in Rapid City, South Dakota, and as morning and noon anchor at WTAP-TV, an NBC station serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. He is a 2001 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism. Contact him at newton@crfb.org.

Ayobami Olugbemiga is a Policy Writer for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he writes and edits op-eds, press releases, media briefs, policy papers, talking points, blog posts, and other policy materials. Prior to joining the Committee, Ayobami was an account executive at a public relations firm where he developed content for various clients in the consumer and health care industry. He also has experience in journalism and political campaigns. Ayobami received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. Contact him at olugbemiga@crfb.org and find him on Twitter at @AyobamiAO.

Adam Rosenberg is a Policy Analyst for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on a wide variety of budget and economic issues conducting research and writing reports and for the Committee's The Bottom Line blog. He graduated in 2011 from The George Washington University with a B.A. in political science and minors in economics and jazz studies. Adam is originally from Connecticut. Contact him at rosenberg@crfb.org.

Adam Shifriss is the Legislative Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he guides interactions with policymakers and staff on a wide range of issues. Adam previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where he handled a broad variety of issues including Energy and Commerce and Appropriations Committee work. In 2007, he contributed to a Government Accountability Office review of public infrastructure reconstruction efforts by FEMA after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Adam also has experience in health advocacy, database management, and political campaigns. He studied Public Policy Analysis at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, where he received his bachelor's degree and the Hutton Honors notation. In addition to his work at the Committee, Adam is an active member of the board of the DC Chapter of the Indiana University Alumni Association. Contact him at shifriss@crfb.org.

Chris Towner is a Senior Research Assistant for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, where he works on the policy team to conduct analysis on a wide variety of budgetary and economic issues including Social Security, disability, and campaign policy proposals. Additionally, Chris worked extensively on the McCrery-Pomeroy SSDI Solutions Initiative. Prior to joining the Committee, Chris worked in fundraising and donor relations at a political non-profit organization. Chris graduated magna cum laude with both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Boston University. Contact him at towner@crfb.org.

Lucy Wall is the Database Manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Previously she worked as a Consultant at the Consumer Data Industry Association, as a Passport Examiner at the British Embassy, and as a teacher in the DC Public Schools. Originally from Rhode Island, Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a Master’s of Teaching from American University. Contact her at wall@crfb.org.